A collection of news photographs from around the world over the past 24 hours.

US President Barack Obama is welcomed by Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on the first leg of a four-nation Asia tour.

San Lorenzo forward Mauro Matos (front) vies for the ball with Gremio defender Pedro Tonon Geromel during their Copa Libertadores football match at Pedro Bidegain stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge take part in a tree planting as they visit the National Arboretum in Canberra, Australia.

Voters are processed in Bijbehara, south of Srinagar, ahead of casting their ballot in the ongoing elections in India.

An employee vacuums the carpet next to Bernard Buffet's Deux clowns, saxophone, during a media preview of Christie's Shanghai Spring Auction.

A thunderstorm passes over storm-chaser Brad Mack in Graham, Texas.

Sculptor Dondon Awa cleans the head of a statue of the late Pope John Paul II at his workshop in Tayuman, Manila, in the Philippines.

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone (centre) has appeared in court at the start of a trial on bribery charges in Munich. He is accused of giving a $45m (£27.5m; 33m euros) bribe to a German banker to secure the sale of a stake in the F1 business to a company he favoured. Mr Ecclestone admits paying Gerhard Gribkowsky, who is serving a jail sentence for receiving the payment, but has denied any wrongdoing.

A dancer of the Moulin Rouge cabaret stretches prior to a show in Paris.